It seems like planting seeds has gotten complicated recently  

Should you only plant organic seeds? Arent’ all seeds organic? What about heirlooms? Are hybrids bad? Or good? Let’s try to define some of these terms, although, even that can be complicated.

Organic Seeds- Seeds are living things, so in that sense yes, they are all organic.

But in this case the term “organic” defines how they were produced. The USDA defines organic seeds this way:  USDA organic seeds are seeds that are grown without the aid of synthetic fertilizers, chemicals, pesticides or herbicides. Pretty simple.

Heirloom Seeds- Here things get a little fuzzier.
One school of thought uses the age of that particular species. So some say the variety has to have been grown for the last 100 years to be considered an heirloom; others say 50 years. Still another camp uses 1945 as the defining date, since the end of WWII is when hybrids started being widely grown and sold.

Another school of thought defines heirloom the same way you’d describe a piece of jewelry or furniture- a treasured cultivar that has been grown by a family and handed down from one generation of gardeners to the next many times.
Oftentimes, the value of an heirloom is that over time it has adapted to its local environment, developing resistance to pests, and thriving in the weather extremes of that particular climate.

The one common definition of an heirloom seed is that it must be open pollinated, and reliably reproduce itself from seed year after year, maintaining its same characteristics. Seeds from an heirloom plant can be saved and planted the following year, and counted on to grow and produce as in the previous years.

Hybrids
Hybrids are developed by combining specific characteristics of multiple varieties to produce a plant that meets certain qualifications. It may bred to be disease resistant, produce bigger yields, fruits of uniform size, or long-lasting  fruits.

Hybrid varieties cannot be planted from last year’s seed. The seed may not sprout at all, and if it does, it probably will not give you the same plant you originally grew. It may not produce flowers or fruit, or look anything like its parent. That’s why hybrid seeds have to be purchased every year.

What’s the advantage? Reliability for one. If you want a tomato resistant to a certain disease, buy that variety. Looking for big tomatoes, hard to bruise berries, or early crops? There are hybrids developed to address all of those concerns- for one season. Next year, if you were happy with the result, you’ll buy the same seed again.

Browse our BIG seed collection

So that’s the scoop. There is a seed for every style of gardener, and a seed that will meet almost any demand. (I have not found a plant that will weed it’s own flowerbed, YET).  So don’t get bogged down. Try something new, try something you already love, and every year you’ll learn a little more.

What are you planting new this year? Share with us here…..

I love these planter bags from Bosmere. They are very sturdy, and once filled with soil and plants, they look nice and neat enough for the front yard. Mine were new last year, and when I put them away at the end of the season, they still looked new, not faded or worn, so they’ll look just as nice this season.

The salad planter bag would also work great for beets, carrots or anything that doesn’t get too tall. I have one for my lettuce greens and another one will hold beets this spring.

The tomato bags come in a pack of three and work out great for cherry tomatoes, or any patio tomato variety. Of course they would work with peppers too, and if you put in some stakes, you could plant beans, cucumbers and other climbers, as long as they aren’t too heavy.

There isn’t much these planting bags can’t handle. But what is most valuable to me is the ability to take advantage of small patches of sunshine to grow a big garden!

More Bosmere Planting Bags:

Insect Protection

But that is just one in a long list of  things Harvest Guard is good for. It can also be used through the growing season to keep bugs away. Light and air will penetrate, but destructive insects can’t get to your plants. Keep in mind that if you need pollinators for your crop, you’ll have to remove the cover every couple of days to let the pollinating insects in.

You can also use it on berries and fruit trees to keep birds from eating your fruit.

Seed Germination

Use Harvest Guard after seeding a lawn to keep seed in place until it germinates. It works better than straw and here is why:

• Better  germination rates – 90-95% with Harvest Guard vs. 50-70% using straw.
• Faster germination because Harvest Guard warms the soil 10-15 degrees .
• Less watering. Since the fabric retains moisture, one watering will usually see the seeds through to complete germination unless it is very hot or windy.
• The fabric keeps birds from eating your seed.
• Dramatic reduction in weeds because the Harvest Guard completely covers the soil.

To use Harvest Guard for patching bare spots, just cut with scissors to the desired shape, and anchor with garden staples or pegs.

See what I mean about how versatile Harvest Guard is?

It’s just a swath of lightweight fabric, but it can do so many things in your garden.

To order yours, just go toSeedlover.com.

Nerve Plant

Depending on who makes up your household, there may be more to choosing the right houseplants than style, taste and lighting conditions.

Some plants are toxic,  so if you have small children, or pets in the home, you need to take precautions to protect their safety.

Now, before you throw all your potted plants into the compost heap, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

First, the word toxic encompasses everything from a skin rash to an upset stomach,  to more serious, even fatal reactions.

Second, in many cases, a large quantity of the plant must be ingested to produce a reaction.

Still, it makes sense to know what you’re growing, and whether it poses a danger. Following is a list of plants which are non-poisonous to humans:

A couple of other thoughts. If you have a plant that’s not on this list, don’t assume it’s poisonous.  It’s just not on the list, so do some research to find out more. If you have a toxic plant, you may be able to move it out of harm’s way instead of getting rid of it entirely.

Use your houseplants as a teaching opportunity. Children should be taught never to put a part of a plant in their mouths. You have some control over your house, but you can’t child proof the great outdoors! So education, as well as barriers, is a good idea.

Did you know- over-watering is the number one cause of damage, poor health and death of houseplants? There are probably a lot of reasons for this-

1. Plants get watered on a schedule, instead of as needed.

2. Plant is not absorbing water the way it should, so it looks thirsty, even if soil is water-logged.

3. The plant looks unhealthy, but needs something else, not water.

Keep in mind that in many cases, houseplants are dormant during winter months. They are in a resting state, and just don’t need as much water as when they are growing vigorously.

I want to mention a couple of products that can help your house plants look their best, and stay healthy all winter, while preventing over watering problems.

The first is SAFER Oxygen Plus Plant Food. This is a low dose fertilizer (analysis 1-2-1) that gives your plants a balanced feeding every time you water. Just 2 squirts per quart of water every time you water keeps plants healthy. But the big difference in this and other house plant foods is this:  Safer Oxygen Plus releases oxygen into the soil around the roots, preventing them from being smothered. This keeps the roots healthy and gives them essential “breathing room” to absorb water, oxygen and nutrients.  Don’t water until the pot feels light and soil is dry up to the first knuckle on your finger.

The second product I’d recommend is Bonide Leaf Shine. It’s not just for prettying up your potted plants, it protects them from excess moisture loss. Plants lose a lot of water through the leaves. Bonide Leaf Shine coats the leaves with a natural looking, shiny coating that seals in moisture. It can be used on any plant with smooth leaves, and will prevent excess water loss through the leaves.  You may not be tempted to over-water if leaves look fresher and don’t have that dried-out look that the warm indoor air can cause.

So, to keep your potted plants looking and feeling their best all winter, water only when needed, add SAFER Oxygen Plus whenever you do water, and use Bonide Leaf Shine to keep leaves shiny and preserve their moisture.

Why do you think plants get over-watered? And how do you prevent it?

The Balateeo Portable Balcony table is a favorite of mine too. It fastens securely to any railing to give you instant table space outdoors. It’s crafted beautifully from solid wood, so it looks nice, feels smooth, and makes a great place to put drinks, snacks, or set up a work space. If you have to get some work done, why not do it in a pleasant outdoor space, right?

For entertaining, set up a couple of these portable tables, and everyone has a convenient place to set down a drink, or a dinner plate. If you have a tiny balcony with no room for a full size table, this makes a handy way to enjoy your meal or morning coffee outside. Once you have the Balateeo table, you’ll think of all kinds of occasions to put it to use.

But the best recommendation comes from our customers, like the one I mentioned, who tried it, liked it, and had to have more! Give it a try yourself, and be sure to let me know how you use YOUR Balateeo table. Here’s how I use mine….

When

Image via Wikipedia

You know how you really need to kill those lawn weeds, apply some pesticides, or fertilize all those flower beds? But every time you think about lugging out that giant sprayer, measuring out the concentrate, mixing it all up and hauling it around the yard, you decide to go have a snack instead? Yea, me too.

That’s why I love The Bonide Auto Mix Sprayer.

It’s a 36 oz. jar that attaches to your garden hose.  Pour your concentrate into the jar, and set the dial on top to mix at the correct dilution.  It’s easy-if you are supposed to mix 1 tsp per gallon, then just turn the dial to the “1 tsp” marking.

It automatically mixes and applies the proper dilution.

Just turn on the water and start spraying. There are 3 spray patterns too- a fan spray for lawns, gentle shower for flowers and a stream to ready up into trees.

Unused concentrate can be returned to the original container. No waste!

Even if you are applying gallons and gallons of product, you’ll only ever have to carry a 36 Oz. jar. What a difference!

Ideal for insecticide, fungicide, herbicide and fertilizer concentrates.

• The mountain changing colors as leaves turn
• Fewer mosquito bites
• Clear blue Saturday skies

What I’m not looking forward to is stink bugs trying to get into my house.  Perhaps you’ve been battling stink bugs all summer in your garden. Well, things are about to change.  Instead of devouring your harvest, stink bugs are now focused on finding a warm place to spend the winter – like your house.

RESCUE to the rescue!

If you’ve been using Rescue stink bug traps outside, there’s good news. You can adapt your traps to work indoors too, by adding a light that will lure bugs that are inside to the trap.

Stink Bug Trap -Outdoor Use

Stink Bug Trap -Indoor Use

During the spring and summer, stink bugs are attracted to your traps by the pheromone lures.

In winter, the pheromones don’t work, but the light will continue to lure bugs into the trap. Just place it in the attic, basement or where ever stink bugs are congregating in your home.

There are no chemicals or toxins involved.

Just the light to attract them into the trap where they die naturally from dehydration.

All you need is the Rescue Stink Bug Trap and the Stink Bug Trap Light attachment.  There’s nothing to refill or replace, they will continue to work all winter long.

Image via Wikipedia

There are so many ways that water ends up where we don’t want it.

• Rain causes flooding
• Water heaters break
• Soil gets waterlogged
• Pets make messes
• Things spill

Then there’s the secondary damage, like rot,  mold, stains, odors. The quicker, and more thoroughly water gets removed, the better. You can mop, vacuum, bail, pump, or blot depending on the size of the problem.

We just discovered Stall Dry. It’s made to use in pet and livestock areas, but that’s just the start.

Stall Dry Water Absorption Agent absorbs 140% of its weight in liquid-repeatedly!

So let’s say you have a window well that accumulates water and leaks into the house. Pour a layer of Stall Dry, and soak up that rainwater before it can flood.

Suppose the water heater leaks on your basement carpet? Cover it with Stall Dry to soak up every last drop of water, before mold and mildew can grow.

Have a low spot in the yard that just won’t dry up? Stall Dry can help there too, while it improves soil texture.

You can use Stall Dry on wood, metal, concrete, carpet and soil.  It’s made from diatomaceous earth and clay, and it was designed for use with livestock, so you know it’s safe to use around your pets and family. Might be a good idea to have a bag on hand, because, unfortunately, flooding can often occur without warning.

Yardlover.com has tons of ways for you to save money while still providing a market of high-quality items right at your fingertips.  Because we have so many awesome ways for you to save the most money possible, we want to help you find them all. Sometimes an item costs more than you want to spend, heck I feel that way all the time when I go shopping, but that’s when you have to make yourself a smart shopper.

I, unfortunately, am a terrible smart shopper.  For example, the other day I went to Target and I bought a pair of shorts.  I liked them so much that I went back and bought some more.  Last night as I was sifting through my collection of coupons that I had cut out, I found a coupon for $3 off shorts at Target!  Imagine my feelings of horror and stupidity at myself, especially since I had actually taken the time to print the coupon off the internet!

Luckily for you, you do not have to suffer from what I like to call Stupid Smart Shopper Disorder (SSSD).  If you pay attention to the following information and eternally keep it stowed away in the back of your mind, you have real potential to become a Super Smart Shopper (SSS).  Please note the following information for your own benefit:

• Sign up for our email newsletter.  We send out 10%-20% discount coupons all the time on certain items or categories of products
• Like us on Facebook.  We have special offers and discounts for our Facebook fans only.
• Keep an eye out for products that are featuring free shipping.  Not every item does, but a lot do, it just may take some work to find them.  Click on the Free Shipping page tab on this blog to see some of those products.
• Notice that a lot of our products are already on sale and you can tell that by seeing the original price crossed out and a sale price in bold next to it.
• Look for us on your favorite coupon websites because we might just be there!

As the one spending the money, it is up to you to find ways to save that money, and hopefully I’ve helped you by showing you all those wonderful ways to save money.  Be smart, save your money, and I know you will go far in life.